Attachment member for a power distribution track

ABSTRACT

An attachment member for use with a power distribution track of the type having a pair of spaced parallel conductors, the attachment member having a pair of diametrically opposed supporting flanges which engage and extend into one of the channels of the track and a pair of diametrically opposed contact fingers which extend and engage the spaced parallel conductors to establish electrical contact and wherein the attachment member has latching means engaging the track to maintain the attachment member in an electrical conducting condition and against removal from the power track unless the latch is manually retracted.

United States Patent inventor Robert S. Fremont Wilmette, Ill.

Appl. No. 878,007

Filed Nov. 19, 1969 Patented Oct. 5, 1971 Assignee Halo Lighting Division ltosemont, Ill.

ATTACHMENT MEMBER FOR A POWER DISTRIBUTION TRACK 6 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

U.S.Cl 339/21R, 339/22 H lnl.Cl H01r9/00 Field M Search 339/14, 20. 21,24, 119;24/221, 206, 230

Relerenees Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1958 Brandt 200/51 Primary ExaminerMarvin A. Champion Assistant Examiner-Robert A. Hafer Attorney- Max R. Kraus ABSTRACT: An attachment member for use with a power distribution track of the type having a pair of spaced parallel conductors, the attachment member having a pair of diametrieally opposed supporting flanges which engage and extend into one of the channels of the track and a pair of diametrically opposed contact fingers which extend and engage the spaced parallel conductors to establish electrical contact and wherein the attachment member has latching means engaging the track to maintain the attachment member in an electrical conducting condition and against removal from the power track unless the latch is manually retracted.

ATTACHMENT MEMBER FOR A POWER DISTRIBUTION TRACK BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the objects of this invention is to provide an attachment member for supporting lighting and illuminating fixtures and the like connected to a power distribution track whereby the attachment mechanism has means for latching said attachment to the power track.

Another object of this invention is to provide attachment means of the foregoing character which automatically grounds the attachment member when it is positioned in an electrically engaging position.

Another object of this invention is to provide an attachment mechanism for use with a power track which can be rotated only in one direction to effect a locking of same to the power track.

Another object of this invention is to provide for a polarization by means of different sized flanges which permits the attachment mechanism to be inserted in only one way into the large and small extruded grooves in the track.

Other objects will become apparent as this description progresses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. I is a perspective view of the attachment member forming this invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of the attachment member shown connected to a power distribution track which is in section.

FIG. 3 is a view partly in section showing the attachment member connected to a power distribution track.

FIG. 4 is a plan view taken on line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a central sectional view of the attachment member.

FIG. 6 is an exploded side view of the parts of the attachment member.

FIG. 7 is an exploded end view of some of the parts of the attachment member.

FIG. 8 is a plan view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7, and

FIG. 9 is a plan view taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 7.

The power distribution track generally indicated at comprises an elongated member, preferably of extruded aluminum, which is usually secured in a horizontally suspended position to form with other components the framework for panels which form a false ceiling. The power track 20 is shaped in cross section, as best shown in FIG. 2, and insofar as it relates to supporting the electrical conductors and the securement of the connector attachment it has a pair of spaced upper channels both designated by the numeral 22, and a pair of spaced lower channels designated by the numerals 24 and 25. Said channels are parallel and extend the length of the track.

The upper channels 22 are formed by a pair of inturned spaced lips 26 and 27 and the lower channels are formed by said lips 26 and 27 together with a pair of inturned bottom flanges 28 which are continuations of the bottom of the track. The bottom channel has a greater width than the channel 24, for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The bottom flanges 28 continue outwardly as at 29 to form ledges for supporting the ceiling panels of a false ceiling surface.

Positioned in the upper channels 22 is an elongated insulating strip 30 having a wall 31 formed with inwardly extending sides which extend below the wall 31 and which define inwardly extending sheaths 32 which receive and partially surround the electrical conductors 33. The conductor on the right side, as viewed in FIG. 2, is the ground side of the circuit in a two-wire system. Each of the sheaths 32 terminates in an inwardly extending lip 34 spaced as at 35 from the wall 31 of the strip and extends parallel to said wall so as to limit access to the conductors only along a plane parallel to the surface of the wall, so that inadvertent contact with the conductors is prevented, yet permitting contact with the laterally extending contact fingers of the attachment member.

In order to effect a connection between the electrical equipment, such as the lighting or illuminating means, or any other appliance, to the power track, an attachment member forming this invention is provided. The attachment member, generally indicated by the numeral 36 includes a boxlike housing 37, the upper portion 38 of which is rectangular in cross section, with a reduced lower portion 39. The housing is preferably die cast and has an open face at the top which is covered or enclosed by a cover plate, as will be subsequently described. The housing has an opening 4I in the bottom wall through which an externally threaded sleeve 42 extends. An electrical cord 43 extends from the interior of the housing through the sleeve and is suitably connected to a lighting fixture (not shown) which in turn is supported on a yoke 44. The yoke 44 has an opening engaging the sleeve and a threaded nut 45 secures the bracket to said sleeve. The yoke is suitably connected to a lighting fixture or the like. The bottom of the housing has a rib 39a which is engaged by a tit 44a on the yoke which limits rotation of the yoke to approximately 350 degrees.

The closure for covering the top opening of the housing is a member generally designated by the numeral 46 which is formed of a LEXAN plastic material and is integrally molded. This material is an insulating material. The closure comprises a cover plate 47 of generally rectangular shape, conforming to the shape of the open face of the housing. The cover plate has a rectangular-shaped slot 48 extending transversely adjacent one side thereof and the slot is bounded by an inwardly extending sidewall 49, opposite end walls 50, and an inner wall 51 which extends below the plane of the sidewall 49. The latching member, subsequently to be described, is slidably movable between said walls and within the slot 48 of the cover plate. Formed integrally and extending inwardly from said inner wall 5] are spaced short sidewalls 52.

The cover plate 47 has formed integrally therewith a body, designated generally by the numeral 54, which extends upwardly of the cover plate and which has oppositely directed supporting flanges 55 and 56. The body 54 extends upwardly of said flanges and forms a nose generally indicated at 57. An annular portion of said body 54 extends below the bottom plane of the cover plate as at 58. The body 54 is provided with a rectangular-shaped bore 60 which extends axially through said body member. The side of the body directly below the flange 56 is recessed to provide a flat groove 540 which receives a metal clip which forms a contact member, subsequently to be described. The bottom of the cover plate 47 has a recessed peripheral edge 61 to engage the walls of the housing and provide an overhanging portion which seats on the upper edge of the housing. The cover plate is provided with a pair of enlarged openings 62 on the diametrically opposite sides of the central body 54 and directly under said supporting flanges.

To support the electrical conducting strips 64 in the bore 60 of said body member there is provided a retaining member generally indicated at 66 which is formed separately from the cover plate 47 but of the same material. The said retaining member 66 has a generally rectangular-shaped body 68 with a central upwardly extending post 69 of generally rectangular shape and spaced upwardly extending L-shaped ends 70 spaced from said central post 69. The bottom wall of the L- shaped ends 70 seat against the body of the cover plate. The end wall of the retaining member between the L-shaped ends terminates below the top of the ends to form a recess 70a which receives the metal clip. The body 68 of the retaining member 66 is provided with bores 71, one on each side of the post 69. Extending downwardly from the body 68 is an extension 72.

The pair of metal conducting strips 64, one on each side, are positioned in the bore 60 of the body of the cover plate against the opposite end walls of the bore, with the post 69 of the retaining member inserted therebetween to hold said metal conducting strips firmly in position. The upper ends of said conducting strips are each bent outwardly at right angles to the length of said strips and form the contact fingers 74. The

contact fingers extend through recesses in the nose of the body and extend laterally of the body. The electrical conducting strips 64 extend into the spaced bores 71 in the body of the retaining member and the metal conducting strips are connected to conductors connected to the cord 43.

A metal clip generally indicated at 75 has a U-shaped portion 76 which terminates in an L-shaped end 77 extending outwardly thereof. The clip is secured to the sidewall of the cover plate, with one leg of the L-shaped end 77 extending into the flat groove 54a and the bottom leg of the L-shaped end passing through the recess in the retaining member. The clip will make contact with the inner edge of the inwardly extend ing flange 28 on the right side (as viewed in FIG. 2) of the power track to ground same.

The supporting flanges 55 and 56 on the body 54 are briefly described as follows. The flange 56 which engages in the channel 25 is thicker than the opposite flange 55 which engages in the channel 24. The thinner flange 55 has top and bottom surfaces which are beveled. The difference in the thickness of the flanges prevents the improper attachment of the attachment member to the power track. in other words, the flanges can only be secured in their proper channels and therefore it would be impossible to improperly connect the contact fingers to the wrong conductors in the power track. This insures the correct polarity.

The lower portion 39 of the housing has a cavity 78 in a portion of same to receive a coil spring 79 therein which extends upwardly. This cavity is adjacent one side of the housing and below the slot 48 in the cover plate 47.

A slidable latch member designated generally by the numeral 80, also formed of LEXAN plastic material, has a flat plate surface 81 on its opposite faces and said latch plate has a latching surface 82 extending upwardly of the top of same, which latching surface has a radius to provide in effect a camming surface. The latch member has spaced shoulders 83 which are adapted to engage the end walls 50 to limit its upward movement. The latch member has an inverted L-shaped finger knob 84 extending laterally thereof which extends outwardly of a rectangular opening 85 in the sidewall of the housing 37. The L-shaped finger knob 84 serves as a button for manual engagement to depress the latch member, as will be more fully explained. The bottom of the latch plate has a central extension 86 which enters the upper end of the coil spring. Normally, the spring 79 will urge the latch member 80 upwardly to its up position where the top of the latching surface 82 projects above the top of the cover plate, as shown in FIG. I. To retract or move the latch plate inwardly the finger button 84 is manually depressed to retract the latch member against the outward pressure of the spring. Releasing the finger from the finger knob 84 will permit the latch plate to raise. The front face of the latch member has a pair of rounded bosses 88 which ride against the inner wall 51 adjacent the slot.

A manually actuated switch 90 is connected to the circuit and is mounted on the lower portion of the housing. By opening the switch the circuit to the electrical cord 43 is opened even though the contact fingers are in engagement with the electrical conductors 33 of the electrified power track 20.

The operation of the attachment member 36 in connection with the power track should be understood from the foregoing, but briefly described is as follows.

The electrical conductors 33- carried by the insulating strip 30 are connected to a source of current supply, as is well known in the art, to supply current to the conductors. To mechanically attach the attachment member 36 to the power distribution track 20, the housing is positioned so that the supporting flanges 55 and 56 extend parallel with the lower channels 24 and 25. The nose 57 ofthe body 54 will extend into the plane of upper channels 22 and will be positioned against the surface of the insulating strip 20. The latch member 80 will be in engagement with the underside of the bottom flange 28 of the track to keep the latch member in retracted position. The attachment member is then rotated 90, which positions the supporting flanges 55 and 56 in the lower channels 24 and 25 and also positions the electrical contact fingers 74 in contact with the conducting wires 33 in the insulating strip 30. This simultaneously mechanically locks and secures the attachment member to the track and also electrically connects the power track to the attachment member. The metal clip 75 will then engage flange 28 of the power track 20 to ground the attachment member.

The attachment member may be inserted into the power track anywhere along the length thereof and when once inserted it can be rotated 90 in the manner described. After the attachment member has been rotated 90 the spring 79 will urge the latching member upwardly and the latching surface 82 of the latch member will be positioned transversely of the channels 24 and 25, between the inner edges of the lower flanges. As long as the latch is in this raised or elevated position the attachment member cannot be disconnected from the power track and this maintains and holds the attachment member in its set position.

To reposition the attachment member anywhere else along the length of the power track or to remove it therefrom, it is necessary to retract the latch by manually depressing the finger button 84 and then rotating the attachment member in the direction opposite to that formerly rotated, to thereby disengage the supporting flanges S5 and 56 from the channels 24 and 2S, simultaneously disengaging the contact fingers 74 from the conductors.

The shape of the supporting flanges 55 and 56 permits rotation of the attachment member in only one manner for locking and in only one manner for unlocking.

What is claimed is:

1. An attachment member for use with a power distribution track of the type having a pair of spaced upper channels to receive the electrical conductors and a pair of spaced lower channels with said lower channels having bottom flanges, said attachment member including a housing, a pair of diametrically opposed supporting flanges extending laterally and adapted to engage the pair of spaced lower channels for supporting said attachment member with respect to said track, a pair of diametrically opposed contact fingers extending laterally outward and spaced from said supporting flanges and adapted to engage the spaced conductors in said upper channels of said distribution track, and a spring biased latch member having a flat plate surface on its opposite faces sup ported in said housing and having a portion extending outwardly of the top of said housing with the top of said portion having a radius which provides a camming surface so that when said attachment member is positioned for attachment to said track said camming surface will engage one of said bottom flanges and cam said latch member downwardly to permit the attachment member to be rotated 90' to position the opposed supporting flanges in said pair of spaced lower channels, and after clearing said bottom flange said latch member will be urged upwardly by said spring to engage the track and prevent rotation of said attachment member with respect to said track, said latch member having a finger knob which extends outwardly of said housing to be manually engaged to depress said latch member to permit detachment of said attachment member from said track.

2. A structure as set forth in claim 1 in which a vertically positioned coil spring normally maintains the latch member in elevated position to prevent turning of said attachment member while connected to said distribution track and in which the housing has a cavity for receiving the lower end of said coil spring.

3. A structure as set forth in claim 1 in which the housing has a cover plate for closing the top of said housing and said cover plate has a slot having spaced vertical walls to slidably receive the latch plate, said latch plate having shoulders below said camming surface for engagement with said cover plate to limit the upward movement of said latch plate and wherein the latch plate is urged upwardly by means of a coil spring within said housing engaging said plate.

4. A structure as set forth in claim 3 in which the plate has a plurality of bosses engaging one of the spaced vertical walls of the cover plate.

5. A structure as set forth in claim 1 in which the attachment member has a housing having a top opening closed by a cover plate, said cover plate having a slot adjacent one of the sides thereof and a centrally positioned body member, with the centrally positioned body member having a bore which receives the conducting strips having contact fingers at the upper ends thereof extending laterally thereof, a retaining member for retaining said contact strips in said bore in a fixed position, said retaining member having a body and an upwardly extending post extending into said bore and engaging the insides of said contact strips.

6. A structure as set forth in claim I in which one of the spaced lower channels of the track is wider than the opposite spaced lower channel and in which the supporting flanges of the attachment member are of different thicknesses to be accommodated in said spaced lower channels. 

1. An attachment member for use with a power distribution track of the type having a pair of spaced upper channels to receive the electrical conductors and a pair of spaced lower channels with said lower channels having bottom flanges, said attachment member including a housing, a pair of diametrically opposed supporting flanges extending laterally and adapted to engage the pair of spaced lower channels for supporting said attachment member with respect to said track, a pair of diametrically opposed contact fingers extending laterally outward and spaced from said supporting flanges and adapted to engage the spaced conductors in said upper channels of said distribution track, and a spring biased latch member having a flat plate surfAce on its opposite faces supported in said housing and having a portion extending outwardly of the top of said housing with the top of said portion having a radius which provides a camming surface so that when said attachment member is positioned for attachment to said track said camming surface will engage one of said bottom flanges and cam said latch member downwardly to permit the attachment member to be rotated 90* to position the opposed supporting flanges in said pair of spaced lower channels, and after clearing said bottom flange said latch member will be urged upwardly by said spring to engage the track and prevent rotation of said attachment member with respect to said track, said latch member having a finger knob which extends outwardly of said housing to be manually engaged to depress said latch member to permit detachment of said attachment member from said track.
 2. A structure as set forth in claim 1 in which a vertically positioned coil spring normally maintains the latch member in elevated position to prevent turning of said attachment member while connected to said distribution track and in which the housing has a cavity for receiving the lower end of said coil spring.
 3. A structure as set forth in claim 1 in which the housing has a cover plate for closing the top of said housing and said cover plate has a slot having spaced vertical walls to slidably receive the latch plate, said latch plate having shoulders below said camming surface for engagement with said cover plate to limit the upward movement of said latch plate and wherein the latch plate is urged upwardly by means of a coil spring within said housing engaging said plate.
 4. A structure as set forth in claim 3 in which the plate has a plurality of bosses engaging one of the spaced vertical walls of the cover plate.
 5. A structure as set forth in claim 1 in which the attachment member has a housing having a top opening closed by a cover plate, said cover plate having a slot adjacent one of the sides thereof and a centrally positioned body member, with the centrally positioned body member having a bore which receives the conducting strips having contact fingers at the upper ends thereof extending laterally thereof, a retaining member for retaining said contact strips in said bore in a fixed position, said retaining member having a body and an upwardly extending post extending into said bore and engaging the insides of said contact strips.
 6. A structure as set forth in claim 1 in which one of the spaced lower channels of the track is wider than the opposite spaced lower channel and in which the supporting flanges of the attachment member are of different thicknesses to be accommodated in said spaced lower channels. 